Sri Lanka Presidential Election – 2019 – Most Peaceful & Free Election

The voting in the Sri Lanka Presidential Election – 2019 ended very peacefully at 5 PM yesterday and around 80 percent voter turnout was recorded as the 2019 Presidential election ended this evening. Also, The Presidential Election was described as “Free and Fair” except for a few minor incidents.

The Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya today said the Presidential election was free and fair except for few minor incidents.

He said that only seven minor incidents have been reported throughout the day. Mr. Deshapriya said one stabbing incident was reported from Deraniyagala.

“Shooting incident was reported in Thanthirimale where several busses transporting voters have been shot at. Luckily, no casualties were reported,” he said.

People’s Action For Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said that among the incidents noted on Election Day, the most serious was the firing at a convoy of buses taking displaced voters to their original homes in the North where they were registered to vote. However, no one was injured.

Other incidents included five cases of assault, seven complaints of voter impersonation, four arrests of voters taking photographs of their marked ballot papers, one case of a voter attempting to smuggle out the ballot paper and two arrests for distributing election propaganda.

The total number of complaints received by PAFFREL on Election Day was 158 with 42 complaints against illegal propaganda activities, 31 complaints against pressure being brought to bear on voters and 20 complaints against illegal transportation of voters.

In the meantime, Police Spokesman SSP Ruwan Gunasekara said twenty-six individuals have been arrested yesyerday, by the police for violating election laws during the voting period.

He said no serious cases were reported during the voting period and added that a peaceful atmosphere prevailed throughout the day.

“Among the arrested, eight were nabbed for taking photos of the ballot papers while 18 were arrested for roaming near polling centers.

“25,700 police officers are on duty countrywide while 3,000 police officers are on mobile services,” he said and added that 50 police officers along with STF personnel have been deployed for security at counting centers and a Superintendent of Police and a Senior Superintendent of Police are on duty at each counting center.

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya says the final result of the 2019 Presidential election is likely to be issued today (Sunday).

Deshapriya said that the new President will most likely be able to assume duties today or on Monday.

He also denied allegations that the commission had discriminated people in the North.

Deshapriya said that there was an issue where a protest was staged in the North yesterday near the election office and the Police had to remove the protester.

He said that a similar protest was staged in Colombo and the Police had been advised to remove the protester.

- Asian Tribune -